Believe it or not, spring training will be in full swing in a couple of weeks when teams throughout the Sunshine State report for the opening of camp. That means the wonderful sights and sounds of our national pastime on sun-splashed diamonds in Tampa, Clearwater, Dunedin are about to lift our spirits once again.
Spirits will certainly be lifted in Port Charlotte, where the Rays return. Due to damage at their spring home caused by Hurricane Ian, the team moved its camp to Lake Buena Vista last year and played home games at Tropicana Field. As noted below, the Rays will be in the bay area a few times this spring.
Here is a look at reporting dates and the Grapefruit League opener for the nine teams that train within a two-hour drive of Tampa.
(Reporting dates for pitchers and catchers | full squad)
Tampa: Yankees, Steinbrenner Field (Feb. 15 | Feb. 20)
The first of 17 home games at Steinbrenner Field is against the Blue Jays on February 25. The Rays visit twice: March 6 and March 27.
Clearwater: Phillies, BayCare Ballpark (Feb.14 | Feb. 19)
The schedule opens at home against a Yankees split squad on February 25. That is the first of 16 home games. The Rays visit twice: March 21 and March 25.
Dunedin: Blue Jays, TD Ballpark (Feb.15 | Feb. 20)
The curtain rises on a 14-game home schedule February 24 versus the neighboring Phils. The Rays’ lone trip to Dunedin is February 28.
Lakeland: Tigers, Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium (Feb.14 | Feb. 19)
The first of 16 home games is February 24 against the Yankees. The Tigers’ final home game is March 24, which is the Rays’ lone visit to Lakeland. Two days later, Detroit completes its Grapefruit League schedule against the Rays at Tropicana Field.
Port Charlotte: Rays, Charlotte Sports Park (Feb. 14 | Feb. 19)
The first of 29 games in Florida – the Rays play Boston in the Dominican on March 9-10 — begins with a visit from the Braves on February 24. That will be the first of 14 games in Port Charlotte. The Rays conclude spring training at Tropicana Field against the Tigers on March 26.
Bradenton: Pirates, LeCom Park (Feb. 14 | Feb. 19)
Pittsburgh begins the home portion of its schedule February 25 against the Orioles. That will be the first of 16 home games, including a pair of dates (March 1, 17) versus the Rays.
Sarasota: Orioles, Ed Smith Stadium (Feb. 15 | Feb. 20)
The first of Baltimore’s 15 home games is February 24 against the Red Sox. The Rays are at Ed Smith on February 26 and March 12.
North Port: Braves, CoolToday Park (Feb. 15 | Feb. 20)
A 16-game home schedule begins against a split squad of Red Sox on February 25. The Rays make the 10-miles drive southeast to visit March 14 and 23.
Fort Myers: Red Sox, JetBlue Park (Feb. 14 | Feb. 19)
The BoSox play 16 games at home beginning with a date against Boston University on February 23. Their first MLB opponent at JetBlue Park will be a Minnesota split squad on February 26. The Rays are in Fort Myers on March 5 and 19.
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